05/27/2022
If you've noticed I haven't posted a picture in quite some time, please take a moment and read the story of my last month. Will be getting back to work in June, have three bobcats, one otter, a turkey (one of the final birds) and will be starting 2021-2022 season deer. And minus a few bumps in the road hope to be complete by December, just in time to fill everything back up with this coming seasons deer!
A Grandpa’s Story
A month ago yesterday I received one of the most soul crushing phone calls a grandparent and father could ever receive. My daughter in tears, and barely able to get the words out said, “Dad it’s her brain…”.
Ms. Kinslee Larue Coulter, affectionately known as “Mighty Mouse”, the youngest of my twin granddaughters has brought so much excitement, love and sorrow (not her doing) to our little family in her two plus months of life. From the delivery when she decided she didn’t want to follow her sister into the world, she wanted her own path via emergency C section, on to the cutest twin pictures with bigger Sis Paislee Sue, days of cuddles with all, to weeks of trying to figure out her nausea, then on that day in late April getting that fateful phone call.
Since that call, the last 4 weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions as she was whisked away by Life Flight helicopter to Children’s Hospital St. Louis, she’s had 3 major operations and multiple MRIs. The first major operation to install a shunt to relieve the tremendous pressure in her brain. Two MRIs that discovered the culprit a massive tumor below her brain, pressing on her spinal cord. Her first major brain operation was to extract a biopsy sample of the tumor and drain a cyst in the tumor. Another sedated/intubated MRI. To one of the worst days of the past month when we learned it was ATRT cancer. And a day later, hope, as oncologists talked of other positive outcomes they’ve had battling this cancer. Then to the biggest of the surgeries, and final surgery, to remove as much of the cancerous tumor as possible, with a goal of removing 25%, the surgeon was able to remove 50% of the tumor! Another MRI and 14 days of recovery brought us to yesterday and the first of 16 weeks of chemotherapy to finish this darkness in my granddaughter’s head. I’ve described the surgeons, doctors, nurses and staff that have been with us along this journey, as the Angels that walk among us. And they have been every bit of the light that will prevail against this battle of what I can only describe as darkness. What evil would ever do this to such innocence…
I served my nation for 26 years in the United States Army, I left my family at vulnerable times in my children’s lives to fight in two wars, I’ve seen things I hope people never have to experience while fighting our Nations enemies. But I’ve never felt grief and sorrow as hard as I have on several days in the past month. I’ve seen the world news and watched people collapse in grief and never understood it until this, I now know what it feels like when the blood drains out of your legs and you have to go to a knee. And through all this I understand the importance of talking about it with others, sharing your story, feeling the immense power of prayer from so many that have helped, continue to help and are following our family’s story. And when life deals you a blow that drains the blood from your legs, you’re in the best position to start praying!
In almost 33 years of marriage, I could count on my fingers, and had some left over, the number of times I’ve seen my wife, Grandma Mary, cry. And she’s arguably one of the strongest three women I’ve known in my life, the other two, Dorothy Larue (Look familiar?) and Mary Merle. But Ms. Kinslee Larue has filled up the rest of my fingers I’ve been counting on and I’m on to my toes now. The two worst days being the day Grandma and Daddy were kicked out of the delivery room for and emergency C section and the cancer diagnosis day. I’m sure I’m now in trouble for talking about Grandma, but these are the rawest of emotions I pray nobody reading this will ever have to experience, weather it’s a young parent, grandparent, great grandparents and all the other family that is impacted by such an awful disease.
I would like to thank everyone for the tremendous outpouring of support! It has truly been remarkable both locally and nationally. It makes me proud to be from a small community that bands together in a time of need. And my daughter, who by the way is showing an incredible amount of strength and composure in this trying time, hasn’t been able to work yet this year. The twin pregnancy was high risk and she had to stop working late last year and right now the future is uncertain. So the generosity of so many is helping lessen the financial blow at such a trying time in her and Josh’s lives. So from a proud father/grandfather I thank you all that have given so generously!
If you’ve made it this far, our fight and our love for Kinslee continues, we feel the support and prayer and thank you for your continued prayer and generosity!
Grandpa Doug
P.S. I’ve been called a lot of things in my career and life, Lieutenant, Captain, Commander, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, that damned taxidermist 😊, Son, Dad, but this Grandpa title is the best!
You can follow Kinslee Larue's story daily at:
https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=prayers%20for%20kinslee%20larue
If you would like to donate:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/prayers-for-kinslee-larue?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp%20share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR18R2UruT1kYz-pXdXaYMbFarKxoCsIxlwT8we4NJWDNbNv4ASKiNRo62o
Or directly to an account for Jessica:
Bank of Monticello
180 N. Johnson St.
Kahoka, MO. 63445
Checks payable to Doug Tuttle or Karen Tuttle.
